On status and being imitated: Effects on reciprocal imitation and attraction

40 3rd and 4th graders were imitated by an older (high status) or younger (low status) child from the same school. Two confederates were juxtaposed for each S. One confederate imitated while the other did not imitate on 2 different ambiguous tasks. The S's subsequent imitation of the confederates was measured on both a similar and a dissimilar task. Verbal inquiry measures assessed the S's attraction toward the confederates. More Ss reciprocally imitated the older imitating confederate than the nonimitating confederate on both the similar and the dissimilar task. Also, more Ss in the older confederate group chose the imitator over the nonimitator on 3 verbal inquiry items measuring attraction. No differences between confederates were obtained on the imitation or attraction measures for Ss with confederates younger than themselves. Results are discussed with respect to effectance arousal and the reinforcement model of attraction. (16 ref)